Alumni Directory
James W. Serene, M.D., FAAOS '71 has his own orthopaedic and sports medicine practice in Statesville, N.C. (updated 8/04 br)
Susan M. Bloss '74 teaches Chemistry and AP Chemistry at Fauguier High School in Warrenton, VA. She has a 16-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. smbloss@erols.com
Cynthia Bernardinelli Garlisi '76 (Medical Technology) is employed as laboratory supervisor at The Washington Hospital, Washington, PA. She is a member of ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology and CLMA (Clinical Laboratory managers Assn.) She and her husband, Gaetano are the parents of Vincent, born 1993. cgarlisi@washingtonhospital.org (updated 2/06)
Thomas Clements '76 is a Validation Specialist with KMI Parexel in Durham, NC tclements@belmont.kminc.com Tom is also a volunteer for Duke's Children Classic Golf Tournament and for the "V" Foundation for cancer research.
Warren Houseman '76 serves as the Vice President of Health and Safety for the IT Group in Monroeville, PA He received his MS in Hygiene from the University of Pittsburgh and has been certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene since 1982.
Ken Caputo '78 is currently manager for Site Environmental Engineering, Merck & Co., Inc. West Point, PA KennethCaputo@Merck.com
Debbie (Gooch) Stavischeck Stoner '78, '82 combines working part-time at UPMC as a Medical Technologist, operating her own promotion company, Family Festivals Associates, Inc. and taking care of their son Daniel, born February 13, 1999. She commented that she liked the idea (of the newsletter) so that the world of bio/env people can keep in touch.
Doug Terle '78 is presently in Maryland working for the Food and Drug Administration for Biologies.
Thomas J. Feeley, III '79 (Environmental Science) completed the Masters in Public Management degree program at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School in May 2005. He is employed by U.S. Department of Energy at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, PA. His position is Technology Manager for the Innovations for Existing Plants Program. thomas.feeley@netl.doe.gov (updated 9/2/05)
Lt. Colonel Mark S. Gallo '80 was awarded the Army Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his off-duty work with the Meals on Wheels Program and various other community service organizations. He is Division Chief of Training within the First United States Army. (updated 8/04 br)
Nicholas A. Tsambassis, M.D. '81 received his M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine in 1985. He is practicing internal medicine and pediatrics in Clarksville, TN, and is the Medical Director of Dover Road Medical Center. He has been a member of AAPS since 1994.
Barry J. Momyer, CIH, REM '83 started his career as industrial hygienist 19 years ago for several consulting firms from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. He is co-owner and exec. v.p of a consulting firm for health, safety, environmental and radiological safety. He is married to Barbara Shawhan '83 (Biology) and they have three children, Ian, Kristin, and Joshua. (updated 8/04)
Terri L. Vargo Shimko '83 is a resident of Houston, PA
Dr. William B. Grishkin '84, is a resident of Ft. Myers, FL, and married Nanette H. Watson in December 1999. He is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine 1987.
Karen Bird '86 is located in San Diego, California and is currently pursuing her Ph.D.
Keith Goisse '87 is employed at the IT Corporation as Site Superintendent for Hazardous Waste Disposal in Trenton, NJ.
Robin Ratkowski '87 joined Johnson & Johnson Interventional Systems iin 1996 as a senior technician. In 1999, she was promoted to principal technicial level and in March, 2004 promoted to research scientist I as ARD's microscopist. She will support the development of next-generation devices while taking on significantly enhanced roles and responsibilities in the microstructural characterization and analysis of candidate materials and devices. She has also received several awards at J&J for outstanding echnical contributions in the area of electron microscopy (2003) and a leadership award in 2002. (updated 8/3/04)
Darcy Billisits Giger, D.O. '88 and husband, Dan, are the proud parents of Liam Joseph Giger born April 17, 2000. Congratulations!
Brenda Wesol Kush '89 is currently working at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL as a Clinical Chemistry Supervisor. She recently received her MBA from Brenau University. Brenda writes that her free time is spent with husband, Douglas, and two children, Ryan 5 and Alexis 3.
Rick Fabian '90, '97 is currently working at Washington High School, Washington, PA and was among 39 teachers selected from across the country to experience recent research and teaching approaches in biodiversity during four weeks of study in Lawrenceville, New Jersey this July. Rick took part in the Woodrow Wilson Biology Institute run by the Leadership Program for Teachers of The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
Barbara Ney '90 is employed by The Lannett Company, Philadelphia, PA as senior chemist, analytical services. neyfisher@aol.com (updated 11/04)
Fernando Chaves M.D. '91 has completed his studies at AVC School of Medicine and is ready to start his residency. FMC2R2B1@hotmail.com
Michael Koratich '89, '91 is currently working as a research immunologist with the Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. He has been with the company for the past two years. He and his wife Caroline have three children - Matthew (11), Amberly (7), and Korie (5).
David Sepesy '93 and Juliann Sepesy (Krobert) '92 celebrated their third year of marriage in September. David has been promoted to Project Manager at ProCable Services, Inc. of Pittsburgh. Juliann has accepted a position with Michael Baker Jr., Inc. as an Environmental Scientist in Baker's Transportation division in Corapolis, PA.
Craig W. Colditz, D.C. '93 graduated in 1997 from the National College of Chiropractic and is currently practicing in Lancaster, PA specializing in sports injuries and fibromyalgia. His comments on the newsletter, 'definitely a success! I saw a lot of old names I recognized.'
Ian Baxter '95 is presently at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh completing his obstetrics rotation.
Gary Popotnik '95/'97 after nearly six years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has returned to his native Ohio to work for the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. He will be supervising ecological restoration and land management for TNC lands across the state. Gary says "It's great to be home again!" gpopotnik@tnc.org - (updated 9/04)
Michelle Szewczyk Chornak '95 is a registered respiratory therapist and working at St. Francis Medical Center. She has a baby girl, Natalee Marion, born on October 18, 1999.
Erin Coburn Paris '96 is employed by U.S. Micro-Solutions, Ind., an environmental microbiology/aerobiology laboratory as the Assistant Laboratory Supervisor. She is responsible for identification of unknown bacteria and fungi, including Legionella spp. and Listeria spp. Previously she worked as a Medical Technologist at Uniontown Hospital for four years. She has one son, Raymond David Paris, born October 2, 1997. SkiDooGirlE@aol.com (updated 7/04)
Heather Fowler '96 is employed by the Fayette County Conservation District as an environmental educator based at the conservation district office in Uniontown, PA.
Todd Battung '97 is a second-year medical student at the American University of the Caribbean (AUC). (updated 10/04 br)
Chelsea Buckelew Thomas '97 is living in Cannes, France with her husband, Yannick. She works for the European Society of Cardiologists where she is an event planner/abstract editor. Her work takes her to the Cardiology Congress held in the European capitals and U.S. She has been to Florence, Rome, Lisbon, Munich, Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Venice, Amsterdam, Chicago and New Orleans. (updated 11/04)
Regina Flanagan '97 is currently obtaining a masters in education from Holy Family College and is a teacher for the school district of Philadelphia. She writes that it's great to get updates and read all the news. regina@icdc.com
Kyle Van Why '97 (Wildlife Biology) Attended Louisiana State University as a Master's student researching restoration of the Louisiana Black Bear, a federally threatened species. He graduated in 2003 and is currently working for USDA-Wildlife Services in Mississippi as a wildlife biologist conducting wildlife damage management. His first child, Mitchell, was born in 2003 two weeks prior to his thesis defense. kyle.r.vanwhy@aphis.usda.gov (updated 9/1/05)
Elizabeth Fox Castel '98 married to Ted Castel '97. Elizabeth and Ted were married October 1999 and Ted is an operator at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Leesburg. Elizabeth writes, "It is so nice to read about the professors and fellow alumni. I hope the department will continue to publish the newsletter year after year. I enjoyed the articles on Dr. Hart's and Professor Krueger's retirement and to hear that BBB is once again active - thank you, Dr. Boehm!"
Christopher E. Hudock '98 resides in Tampa, FL. (updated 8/04)
Mark Kanyok '98 is enrolled in the masters program in wildlife at Georgia Southern University.
Jeffery Mawhinney '98 is presently working as a scientist for Chester Engineers, subsidiary of Vivendi Water.
Matt Putila '98 was married in March 1998 and is currently a database analyst for Tetra Tech NUS, Inc. which is an environmental engineering firm in Green Tree, PA. Putilam@ttnus.com
Michelle Schenck '98 is employed at UPMC at Presbyterian Hospital as a neurodiagnostic technician.
Meghan Buckelew Petrucci '99 is living in Silver Springs, Maryland with husband Joe '96 (Graphic Communications). He works for Xerox, while Meghan is a full-time mom to Leo and Ella Rose. (updated 11/04)
Andrew Hoffman '99 is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Commission in West Virginia.
Josh Homyack '99 a graduate of the Wildlife Program who will be working with the U.S. Geological Survey in West Virginia.
Mark Koshko '99 (Biology) - is employed as an associate veterinarian at Metzger Animal Hospital in State College, PA. He has had several publications in the field of Canine Cushing's Syndrome. He married Kristen Hazlett in August 2005. (2/07 br)
Dawn McKissic '99 a graduate of the Biology program, is living in the Philadelphia area where she is employed at The Wistar Institute (U of Penn) as a Research Assistant in a tumor immunology lab since August 2004 . Previously she had worked at GlaxoSmith Kline for 2 1/2 years where she met her fiancee', Tom Lauer. They plan to marry October 2005. (updated 1/05)
Brian Rohrer December '99 is presently working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Tara Lynn Stock '99 is in her second year at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Kim Wolf '99 obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine located on St. Kitts, West Indies. She has accepted a position at Ridge Animal Hospital in Middleport, New York . (updated 8/04)
Amanda Galla Felsher '00 is a 7th grade science teacher at Frazier Middle School. She and Stephen Felsher, Jr were married November 9, 2002. Italia_21@hotmail.com (updated 9/04)
Nathan Herbert '00 (Env. Studies/Wildlife Biology) - recieved his MS in Biology from Purdue University in 2003. He is working freelance for several organizations in Indiana and Michigan on various herpetological research projects.
Joseph Horzempa '00, '02, a biology major,received a Ph.D. in birology from Duquesne University in August '06. He is employed as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His wife, Crystal, gave birth to their firstr child, Gwyneth Ann, on June 22, 2006. (2/07/ br)
Amy Murphy '00, '03 is working at Jefferson Regional Medical Center and is a substitute teacher in the Monessen School District. (updated 9/04)
Seth Dickerson '01 earned ASCP certification as a medical technologist in 2001. He is employed at WVU Hospitals, Morgantown, WV as a generalist medical technologist in chemistry laboratory and transfusion medicine. bro_43@hotmail.com (updated 7/04)
Samantha Divine '01 is working on an MBA with a concentration in healthcare management. sdiv98@yahoo.com - (updated 9/04)
Mark Gritzer '01 (Fisheries & Wildlife) is an elk biologist aide with PA Game Commission. (updated 3/6/07 br)
Tracy Scanlon '01 (Env. Studies/Env. Conservation) defended her master's thesis at the University of Missouri in April 2005 and presented her research in Rome, Italy in September 2005. She has also been accepted into the Ph.D. program in agronomy at the University of Hawaii. (updated 10/18/05)
Heidi Stenson Geary '01 (Biology) is a high school science teacher. She resides in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina with her husband Chad '01 (Education) and their son, Austin (born 9-9-04). (2/07 br)
Dan Counahan '02 (Wildlife Biology) completed his master's in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at Penn State University. He is working as a Biological Science Technician with the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division, Western Fisheries Research Center-Dixon Duty Station, California. (updated 10/18/05 br)
Greg Huchko '02 (Fisheried & Wildlife) is an Umpqua Coho Pedigree Biologist with Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. (updated 4/6/07 br)
Josh Rasmussen '02 (MS Biology) continues to work with Utah Fish and Game on the conservation of June Suckers. He has recently entered into a PhD program at BYU. (updated 10/18/05 br)
Cindistar Thomas '02 (Biology and Criminal Justice) is employed by Arizona Department of Public Safety as a Lab Technician in the Tucson Crime Lab. (2/07 br)
Shannon Bruno '03 (Biology) is attending St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine at St. George's, Grenada, West Indies. shannon-bruno@hotmail.com (updated 9/2/05)
Audrey Fewox Ostrander '03 (Wildlife Biology) is working on a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Waynesburg College, Southpointe. She expects to graduate in December 2005. She volunteers seasonally with Wildlife Works in Youngwood, PA. (updated 2/05)
Justin Garner '03 (Wildlife Biology) - has accepted a job as a dolphin trainer at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. He previously worked at the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in CT as a marine mammal trainer. (2/7/ br)
Amanda Lohr '03 (Fisheries & Wildlife) is working as a wildlife research technician at Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State University. (updated 10/18/05)
Ryan McCone '03 (MS Biology) is working as an environmental scientist for Northern Environmental Technologies in Mequon, Wisconsin. (updated 10/18/05)
Andrea Montony '03 (Fisheries & Wildlife Biology) is pursuing a MS in Biology at the University of Las Vegas. The Bureau of Land Management is funding her project. (updated 10/18/05)
Teresa Redmond '03 writes she is "proud of our biology programs at California. Please encourage students to experiment and learn, because it is through you, the educators that we learn to love and understand biology!"
Roberta Zwier '03 (MS Biology) is working as an environmental consultant in New Jersey. (updated 10/18/05)
Ed Arrow '04 (Fisheries & Wildlife Biology) is employed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a field technician. His principle responsibilities include trapping and radio tracking of white-tailed deer. (updated 10/18/05 br)
Kelley Flaherty MS '04 (Fisheries & Wildlife Biology) is working on her Ph.D in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at West Virginia University. She is assessing the impacts of grazing by white-tailed deer. (updated 10/17/05)
Nick Ganacopolis '04 (Masters in Environmental Studies) has formed his own consulting firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also working with his fiancee', Sabrina Steel '05 (Masters in Environmental Sciences), on a project to evaluate the habitat and movement of federally endangered desert tortoises. (12/06)
Jason Hallacher '04 (Fisheries & Wildlife Biology) is employed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as a senior fisheries technician. His principle duties include gear maintenance, field data collection, data entry and analysis, and report writing. (updated 10/18/05)
Ashley Lenig MS '04 (Fisheries & Wildlife Biology) is employed by the USDA as an area (district) conservationist. (updated 10/18/05)
Brian Preston '04 (Biology-Pre-Med) is working at the International School of Trieste, Italy. He teaches science and assists at the middle school/elementary level, and has been given the task of developing an advanced chemistry curriculum for next year. (2/07 br)
Jason Scaramucci '04 (BS Biology/minor Chemistry) '06 (MAT/Biology) has been accepted in West Virginia University's M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program. (updated 3/31/06)
Sabrina Steel '05 (Masters in Environmental Sciences) is living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She and her fiancee' Nick Ganacopolis '04 are working on a project to evaluate the habitat and movement of federally endangered desert tortoises. (12/06)
Joshua Cyktor '06 (Biology) - is a research technician at Rangos Research Center of Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers, in Oakland, PA. He works in the Lung Immunology and Host Defense Laboratory of the research center. Josh has been accepted into Ohio State's Microbiology Ph.D. program. He is waiting to hear from Pitt as to whether or not he was accepted. (2/07)
For more information see the alumni newsletters
Alumni Information SheetThe Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences would like to know how you have used your biological or environmental degree in the outside world. This information will be printed in the next newsletter and will also be posted on the Alumni Board. If available, please attach a picture of yourself.